At the convergence of the Pärnu River and the Gulf of Rīga lies this stylish Estonian city, known for its 19th-century spa culture and long, bayside promenade. The Baltic summer may be short, but its days are long and its residents will take what rays they can. Shirtless younger folk on parade mix with refined older tourists from the capital Tallinn, Russia and Finland. Pärnu is synonymous with rejuvenation, whether you prefer resting in a picturesque wooden villa or up to your neck in a mud bath.

Explore the shores of Lake Michigan on a trip to Chicago (Image Source: f11photo / Shutterstock)

The Windy City might not sound so appealing for a day on the beach, but Lake Michigan has a lot of edge and the locals here love to gather around it in the warmer months. The fitness set ply the paths year-round, but visit in summer when the party season kicks off and you too will laugh at the wild idea of outdoor frat-style dance parties in the city. Oakwood Beach is the current hotspot thanks to some popular music festivals and colourful murals, while 57th Street Beach is conveniently located near the city’s impressive Museum of Science and Industry. Oak Street Beach on the ‘Gold Coast’ is famous for beach volleyball, while North Avenue Beach wins the kitsch award for a bathing house modelled like an ocean liner.

When Wellington's winds die down, chill on the beach in the city centre (Image Source: denisunlusu / Getty Images)

Prone to Antarctic gusts, Wellington is not your typical summer getaway, but as the main criterion is a centrally located patch of sand leading to crystal clean water, New Zealand's capital is hard to ignore. Freyberg Beach lies a pleasant stroll east of the excellent Museum of New Zealand and buzzes in summer. You may not find more than a ripple in the waters around Oriental Bay, but choice activities include kayaking, swimming and building sand sculptures in the shape of the many ferries connecting the North and South Islands.